batch.motif.roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley-gutenberg-l10210-l10310
---
record_id: batch.motif.roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley-gutenberg-l10210-l10310
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
passage_locator:
label: EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / BOOK THE FOURTEENTH.; lines
10210-10310
start: '10210'
end: '10310'
translation: The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books VIII-XV
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Glaucus comes to Circe and asks her to use charms or herbs to make Scylla
return his love. Circe offers herself instead, is rejected, and retaliates against
Scylla by poisoning Scylla's bathing place with drugs and charms. Scylla enters
the water and is transformed so that dog-like monsters and Cerberean jaws replace
her lower body. Glaucus mourns and avoids Circe. Scylla remains there, later harms
Ulysses' companions, and is eventually transformed into a dangerous rock avoided
by sailors.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Glaucus travels by sea to the halls of Circe, daughter of the Sun, whose halls
are filled with wild beasts.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Glaucus asks Circe to use incantations or herbs so that Scylla will share
his passion.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Circe declares her own desire for Glaucus and urges him to despise Scylla,
who despises him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Glaucus says his affections will not change while Scylla is alive.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Circe becomes angry at Scylla, bruises noxious herbs, mixes them with Hecatean
incantations, and leaves her hall in azure clothing.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Circe walks over the waves with dry feet toward the place associated with
Scylla.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Circe pollutes Scylla's bay with monster-breeding drugs, noxious root juices,
and a charm muttered thrice nine times.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: When Scylla enters the water, she sees her lower body transformed into barking
monsters and Cerberean jaws.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Scylla initially believes the dogs are not part of her body, flees from them,
and discovers she carries them with herself.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:10
text: Glaucus bewails Scylla and flees from alliance with Circe.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:11
text: Scylla remains on that spot, later deprives Ulysses of companions, and is
transformed into a craggy rock avoided by sailors.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Glaucus
description: A god described as the Euboean plougher of the swelling waves; he loves
Scylla and petitions Circe.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Circe
description: A goddess, daughter of the Sun, powerful with charms and herbs; she
desires Glaucus and poisons Scylla's bathing place.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Scylla
description: A nymph loved by Glaucus; Circe transforms her lower body into barking
monsters and Cerberean jaws, and she is later transformed into a rock.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:7
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Hecate
description: Named in connection with the incantations Circe mingles with the bruised
herbs.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Ulysses
description: Named as the figure whose companions Scylla later deprives him of.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: rejected suitor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Glaucus reports promises, entreaties, caresses, and a rejected suit toward
Scylla.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: petitioner for magic aid
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Glaucus asks Circe to utter an incantation or use herbs on his behalf.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: goddess and daughter of the Sun
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Circe identifies herself as a goddess and daughter of the radiant Sun.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: enchantress using herbs and charms
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Circe is said to be potent with charms and herbs and later uses herbs, drugs,
and charms against Scylla's bay.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:5
label: rejected lover and avenger
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Circe desires Glaucus, is refused, and becomes enraged against Scylla, who
was preferred to her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: beloved who rejects suit
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Glaucus says Scylla has rejected his suit, and Circe describes Scylla as
one who despises him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: victim of magical transformation
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Scylla enters the polluted water and is transformed with barking monsters
and Cerberean jaws attached to her body.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:8
label: dangerous transformed being
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Scylla remains at the spot, later harms Ulysses' companions, and becomes
a rock avoided by sailors.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:9
label: named source of incantatory association
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The incantations mixed with the herbs are called incantations of Hecate.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:10
label: later sufferer through companions
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The passage says Scylla deprived Ulysses of his companions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: herbs and noxious root juices
literal_form: bruised herbs, horrid juices, monster-breeding drugs, and noxious
root juices
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: sym:2
label: incantations and charm
literal_form: incantations of Hecate and a mysterious charm muttered thrice nine
times
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: sym:3
label: polluted bathing water
literal_form: Scylla's little bay or bathing retreat, infected with drugs and root
juices
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: sym:4
label: barking monsters and Cerberean jaws
literal_form: dog-like mouths and Cerberean jaws attached below Scylla's body
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:5
label: craggy rock
literal_form: a prominent rock with crags avoided by sailors
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:6
label: wild beasts in Circe's hall
literal_form: various wild beasts and a troop of fawning wild beasts in Circe's
halls
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: sym:7
label: thrice nine number
literal_form: the charm is muttered thrice nine times
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Glaucus petitions Circe
summary: Glaucus reaches Circe's halls and asks her to use magical speech or herbs
so that Scylla will return his love.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Circe's rejected offer
summary: Circe urges Glaucus to turn from Scylla to herself, but Glaucus declares
his love will not change while Scylla lives.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Circe prepares and delivers the poison
summary: Angered by rejection, Circe bruises noxious herbs, mingles Hecatean incantations,
travels over the waves, and pollutes Scylla's bay with drugs and a repeated charm.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:4
label: Scylla's bodily metamorphosis
summary: Scylla enters the polluted water and discovers that barking monsters and
Cerberean jaws have become attached where her lower body had been.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:5
label: Aftermath and rock transformation
summary: Glaucus mourns and avoids Circe; Scylla remains, later harms Ulysses' companions,
and is changed into a craggy rock avoided by sailors.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: magical transformation through poisoned water
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: Circe uses herbs, drugs, incantations, and a polluted bay to alter Scylla's
body into a monstrous form.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The transformation is imposed on Scylla rather than a voluntary shapeshifting
act; taxonomy assignment is approximate.
- id: motif:2
label: rejected divine lover retaliates against rival
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Circe desires Glaucus, is rejected, and turns her anger against Scylla, the
preferred beloved.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy family exactly names erotic rivalry or jealous retaliation.
- id: motif:3
label: monstrous body formed from attached animal mouths
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Scylla's lower body becomes associated with barking monsters and Cerberean
jaws that remain attached to her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: This is a literal metamorphic image rather than a broader taxonomy match
supplied in the available list.
- id: motif:4
label: person transformed into dangerous coastal rock
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: The passage says Scylla is transformed into a craggy rock that sailors avoid.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage summarizes this later transformation briefly and does not
describe its mechanism.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 10210-10310; Book XIV, Fable I opening
quote_or_summary: Glaucus leaves several coastal places behind, swims through the
Etrurian seas, and arrives at Circe's grass-clad hills and halls filled with various
wild beasts.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 10210-10310; Glaucus' petition
quote_or_summary: Glaucus asks Circe, as a goddess able to relieve him, to use incantations
or herbs so that Scylla may share his flame; he recounts his rejected promises,
entreaties, caresses, and suit.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 10210-10310; Circe's reply
quote_or_summary: Circe says Glaucus should court someone willing, presents herself
as a goddess, daughter of the radiant Sun, powerful in charms and herbs, and tells
him to despise Scylla and accept Circe's attachment.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: quote
locator: lines 10210-10310; Glaucus' refusal
quote_or_summary: "“Sooner shall foliage grow in the ocean, and {sooner} shall sea-weed
spring up on the tops of the mountains, than my affections shall change, while
Scylla is alive.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; short quotation.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 10210-10310; Circe's anger and preparation
quote_or_summary: Unable and unwilling to injure Glaucus, Circe becomes enraged
against Scylla, bruises herbs with horrid juices, mingles them with Hecate's incantations,
puts on azure vestments, and leaves her hall.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 10210-10310; Circe crosses the sea
quote_or_summary: Circe goes through the troop of fawning wild beasts, reaches the
tidal waves, and skims over the surface with dry feet as if walking on firm shore.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 10210-10310; poisoning the bay
quote_or_summary: Circe infects Scylla's little curved bay with monster-breeding
drugs, sprinkles juices from a noxious root, and mutters a mysterious charm thrice
nine times.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 10210-10310; Scylla enters the water
quote_or_summary: Scylla wades in and sees her loins grow hideous with barking monsters;
she flees the dog mouths but carries them with her and finds Cerberean jaws in
place of thighs, legs, and feet.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 10210-10310; Glaucus after the transformation
quote_or_summary: Glaucus remains in love, bewails Scylla, and flees from alliance
with Circe because of her hostile use of herbs.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 10210-10310; later account of Scylla
quote_or_summary: Scylla remains at that spot, later deprives Ulysses of companions,
would have overwhelmed Trojan ships, and is transformed into a craggy rock avoided
by sailors.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: The passage explicitly supports the figures, transformation sequence, and
symbols. Motif taxonomy mapping is limited because the available taxonomy has
no exact category for jealous magical retaliation or involuntary metamorphosis
by poisoned water.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Used only the supplied passage and metadata. Comparison claims were left empty because the passage does not itself provide a comparative claim beyond internal references to Ulysses and Trojan ships.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley-gutenberg__l10210-l10310
passage_sha256=a338e4c5ca4b594ebe42dd3867c2dff77c10f3c301c6bd8474f8560761bf7c6e